Negros Occidental Travel Guide
Hi there! π Iβm Benj Tupas and welcome to another Philippines Travel Guide where I write DIY and budget-friendly guides on how to travel to all 82 provinces of the Philippines!
For todayβs guide, letβs explore Bacolod, Sipalay, and Lakawon in the province of Negros Occidental!
If you have any questions, you may message me on Facebook. π
My 25 Best Travel Essentials
Summary
Welcome to my home province! We'll explore this beauitul province from South to North: Sipalay, Bacolod, and Cadiz!
Prepare for non-stop food trips as you explore the beautiful spots in the province.
Day 1: Ruins and Travel to Sipalay
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Flight to Bacolod
π§
Manapla Puto and Baye-Baye at Siplay Airport
ποΈ
The Ruins
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Aida's Chicken at Manokan Country
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Van Transfer to Sipalay
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Check-in at Angel's Bed and Breakfast
π₯
Dinner at Sipalay City Proper
Day 2: Sipalay Day Tour
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Breakfast
ποΈ
Campomanes Bay
ποΈ
Cansibit Pit
ποΈ
City Hall
ποΈ
Tinagong Dagat
π¦
Lunch Fish Tank Seafood Restaurant
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Perth Paradise (The Highlight)
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Campoquino Beach and View Deck
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Panaon Rock Formation
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Poblacion Beach
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Freshen up and Van Transfer to Bacolod
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Check-in at Bacolod Accommodation
To consider for Day 2 if you have time:
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Sugar Beach
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Punta Ballo
Day 3: Lakawon
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Breakfast
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Bus to Lakawon
Expenses Breakdown: P
βοΈ P4,762.28 - Flight
π P1,248.75 - Sipalay Accommodation
π P1,702.61 - Bacolod Accommodation
Day 1: P1,184
P80 - Puto and baye-baye
P200 - Van to The Ruins
P60 - Tricycle to Manokan Country
P193 - Lunch Manokan Country
P106 - Grab to South Bus Terminal
P350 - Van to Sipalay
P120 - Dinner
P75 - Snacks
Day 1
βοΈ Flight to Bacolod
Find the best prices for your flights:
- My roundtrip ticket costed P4,762.28
- You can get better prices if you book months in advance and after Masskara Festival
- I booked this two weeks prior to the trip and the festival will start in a few weeks
Duration: 1 hour and 10 minutes
π§ Manapla Puto and Baye-Baye at Siplay Airport
Yes! Upon arrival, foodtrip agad!
- After claiming your luggages, go the food stalls at the waiting area and ask where you can buy both delicacies
- Puto and baye-bate are delicacies of Manapla, a municipality near Cadiz City or Lakawon Island.
- It's no longer fresh compared to directly buying in Manapla but both still taste really good.
- Puto is P50 and baye-baye is P30
ποΈ The Ruins in Talisay or Lacson Ruins
3 ways to get there:
1. π Van from Silay Airport
- Ride the van just beside the food stalls
- Fare: P200
- Duration: 15 minutes (exluding waiting time)
- You can leave your luggages at the entrance beside the security guard while you explore the place
2. π Grab from Bacolod
- The best option if youβre a group 4 to 6 so you can split the fare
- Fare: P195 (4 seater) to P275 (6 seater) - From my hotel at UrbanView
3. π΅ Tricycle From Bacolod
- Ride a tricycle from North Bus Terminal
- Fare: P150 (5 minutes)
ποΈ Entrance fees:
- P150 - Adult
- P100 - Senior citizen or PWD
- P80 - Students
- Free - Children below 8 years old
- P400 - Consumable entrance
Sample price ranges at their restaurant:
π P165 to P325 - Pica-pica, Pizza, and Pasta
π P375 to P475 - Breakfast Meals and Main Courses
β P115 to P180 - Coffee
π° P165 to P165 - Cakes
πΊ P55 to P230 - Water, soda, shakes, local beers, and wine
Spots to note:
βοΈ Fountain (My favorite)
βοΈ Balcony (Pillars with M and M)
βοΈ Entrance
π° P165 to P165 - Cakes
π Main Hallway
π Carriage
π Souvenir shop
π Video introduction
π Glass reflection (morning and afternoon only)
π Restaurant
π Mini Train
The story behind The Ruins:
Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, a wealthy owner of a 440-hectare plantation in Talisay City, fell in love with and married Maria Braga, whom he met in Hong Kong.
During Mariaβs 11th pregnancy, she slipped in the bathroom and began to bleed. They traveled by carriage to the nearest hospital, but it took two days to reach Silay.
Unfortunately, it was too late. Both Maria and the baby passed away.
In her memory, Don Mariano built a grand palace, dedicating it to Maria and their unborn child. The Ruins is often referred to as the Taj Mahal of Negros.
However, during World War II, the Americans burned the mansion to the ground to prevent the Japanese from using it as their headquarters.
The skeletal frame of the mansion remains intact to this day.
π Aida's Chicken at Manokan Country
How to get here:
π΅ Tricycle to North Bus Terminal
Duration: 15 minutes
Fare: P150
π΅ Tricycle to Manokan Country
Duration: 15 minutes
Fare: P60
You can also book Grab from the Ruins to Manokan Country for P250 to P350
Order: Paa (P105), Garlic Rice (P38), and Coke Zero (P50)
I also tried Nena's Rose on Day 3 and Chicken Deli on Day 4.
Celebrities and politicians like Erwan Heusaff, Robi Domingo, Isko Moreno, Doc Willie Ong, and Mikey Bustos ate here.
π Van Transfer to Sipalay
Better if you ride the van before 12PM so you can catch the sunrise at Poblacion Beach in Sipalay
Go to South Bus Terminal:
Option 1: GrabCar - P106
Option 2: Ride a jeep (Shopping Libertad) - P11 non-aircon and P15 aircon
- Bathroom and snack break in Kabankalan after 3 hours
- Duration: 4 hours and 30 minutes
- Note: It might take an hour of waiting time for the van to get full
- Fare: P350
π Check-in at Angel's Bed and Breakfast
Finding an accommodation that's both aesthetic and budget-friendly isn't always easy, but this place is an exception.
This bed and breakfast is located at the entrance of the city, near stores and Poblacion Beach.
Itβs also conveniently beside the van terminal for trips from and to Bacolod.
Open 24 hours.
Breakfast meals are available for P100 and coffee for P20. So you wonβt have to skip breakfast if you're starting your tour early to avoid the crowd. They serve a variety of silog meals (corned beef, fish, tocino, spam, longganisa, and hotdog).
Wifi is available for digital nomads and there's a free water dispenser so bring your water bottle.
Please check my recommended water bottle and pocket wifi here:
My 25 Best Travel Essentials
I booked a room for only P1,250 per night here:
π₯ Dinner at Sipalay City Proper
Most karinderyas close at 8PM especially on weekdays
- Andokβs and 711 are 24 hours
- Dinner: Fried chicken rice meal with Pepsi (P120)
- Snacks and water (P75)
π Prepare for the Tour
- Prepare your day tour essentials
- Ready your luggage for checkout before the tour
Checkout my travel essentials here:
My 25 Best Travel Essentials
Day 2
A paradise found in the southern part of Negros Occidental province or Bacolod City
ποΈ Campomanes Bay
This beach can be accessed without an entrance fee
The water is crystal clear and turquoise blue
Bugana Resort is located here:
ποΈ Cansibit Pit
Hinatuan Enchanted River meets Mount Pinatubo Crater Lake
- Just look at how clear the water is!
- The water also reflects the sky like a glass when still.
- Tip: Avoid splashing the water or wait for it to settle so it won't appear muddy before taking a photo.
- This was an abandoned mining site that began operations in the 1950s.
- It was shut down due to its negative environmental impact. The Sipalay government is currently researching whether the pit can be used as a sustainable water reserve for the city.
ποΈ City Hall
Sipalay's City Hall is so clean and the garden is well maintain
ποΈ Tinagong Dagat
Lagoons of Palawan + Chocolate Hills of Bohol = Tinagong Dagat
The spot in the photo above looks like the bridge at Kayangan Lake in Coron.
Chocolate Hills vibe
Entrance fees:
- P50 for adult
- P30 for kids
π¦ Fish Tank Seafood Restaurant
Beautiful view yet very affordable seafood restaurant by the river β΅οΈ
The restaurant is also located in the middle of a mangrove forest π³
Eat lunch with this relaxing view
I ordered the Shrimp Kebab for only P199 which includes 4 shrimps, 5 scallops, rice, vegetables, and ice tea. Very sulit! π¦
Chill at their swing after lunch while watching the soothing water flowing directly to a beach
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Perth Paradise (The Highlight)
Often considered the highlight of a Sipalay trip
Fees:
- Entrance: P80
- Infinity Pool: P100
Enjoy the beautiful view! π
Note if you're bringing your own car:
- The road going in is a little bumpy
- But the locals there are working together to make it smoother
ποΈ
Campoquino Bay Beach Resort and View Deck
The entrance fee is only P50.
They have a 300-step view deck to witness the panoramic view of Tinagong Dagat and Poblacion Beach that will take you around 20 minutes to reach the top.
View of the resort
They also have cottages
The beach
The rooms
πΏ Panaon Rock Formation and ποΈ Poblacion Beach
End the day with these 2 spots that are beside each other and can be accessed for free.
Imagine living in this city where the beach is just a few steps away from your home.
You can stroll and chill here after a stressful day at work.
- This is where you can find the Wow! Sipalay! sign.
- There are food stalls here that sell snacks and drinks.
- At night, there are BBQ stalls for dinners and live performances sometimes.
Consider Sugar Beach and Punta Ballo Beach for a half day tour
ποΈ Sugar Beach
A beach in Sipalay with mini Chocolate Hills on the side.
- This non-touristy spot is so peaceful. Introverts will love it!
- A paradise you can access all to yourself on weekdays and for free!
There's also a beach front resort here:
ποΈ
Punta Ballo Beach
You can also access this beach for free.
There's a beach resort here. I was also considering this when I was looking for an accommodation.
π΅ Tour Guide Reveal
Special thanks to Dojie for being a nice guide and a great photographer!
The regular tour is only P1,500 without Bugana, Cansibit Pit, and Sugar Beach. Just add P1,000 to explore all these places or I would highly recommend to split it into 2 days.
Maximum of 3 pax
π
Freshen Up, Redeem Luggages, and Van Transfer to Bacolod
- You can shower at Angel's BNB
- The van terminal is just beside it and the last trip is at 4AM.
- You can ask Dojie to reserve you a slot.
- Fare: P350
- Duration: 4 hours
My 25 Best Travel Essentials
Day 3
β° Wake Up at 3AM to Catch the First Lakawon Trip
β Breakfast
- Go to 6th Street in Lacson.
- This is just a few blocks from Urban View and in-front of the lagoon
- Mcdo, Dunkin, and Chowking are open 24 hours
Sample order: Longganisa with black coffee (P119)
π Bus to Lakawon
From Mcdo Lacson or Urban View, ride Bata or Mandalagan jeep to Ceres North Terminal for P12.
- Just ask for Lakawon
- The jump-off will be at Burgos Market in Cadiz
- Fare: P145
- Duration: 50 minutes (05:25AM to 06:15AM)
- Tip: Sit on the right side if facing the front to enjoy the sunrise
- You'll also pass by one of the biggest solar farms in Philippines
π΅ Ride a Tricycle to Lakawon Port
The fare is P150 from Burgos Public Market. Good for 3 to 4 people.
It will about 10 minutes to reach the port
β΅ Boat Ride to Lakawon
Port to Lakawon:
- Opens at 7AM
- Needs to reach 10 passengers per batch
- If it takes a while to fill the batch, especially on weekdays, you can avail a special trip for an additional P1,000
Lakawon back to Port:
- Schedules: 8AM, 10AM, 12:30PM, 2PM, and 4PM
- No need to fill the batch
You can eat breakfast, buy souvenirs, or play with the island dogs while waiting.
Thanks for reaching this far!
π
Say hi on Facebook if you have any questions about the guide
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Travel dates: September 30 to October 03